HISTORIC CAROUSEL AT ZOO

You may have heard about Linda and Tom Allen's generous gift of an historic carousel to the Woodland Park Zoological Society.

I have heard from some citizens who voiced questions and concerns about the carousel and would like to respond. First of all, the carousel proposal has been and will continue to be open to public review and comment. The project is one of many elements of the Zoo's updated Long-Range Plan and its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which have been the subject of several public and community meetings since the fall of 1999.

While the design of the carousel building and fundraising for its construction are under way, final approval of the project awaits adoption by the City Council of the Long-Range Plan. The public will have further opportunities to comment during the environmental review process and City Council consideration of the plan this spring.

The carousel is one of several exciting new exhibits and improvements proposed for future Zoo development. Crafted in 1918, this antique working carousel features 48 hand-carved wooden horses and, according to the proposed Long-Range Plan, will be located on the northwestern edge of the Zoo's North Meadow in a new building constructed especially for the carousel. I think it will be a wonderful addition, recalling zoos and carousels past, and providing enjoyment to the children of the region and the Zoo's more than one million annual visitors. Its modest size and classic design fit nicely into the northwest corner of the Zoo. In addition, the carousel is expected to generate more than $100,000 in net annual revenue that will be spent on animal care and education programs for children.

Prior to acceptance of the gift, the project was carefully reviewed to ensure that the carousel would help meet the Zoo's education, conservation, exhibition and recreation goals. The "footprint" for the new carousel building is dwarfed by the abundance of recently installed exhibits at the 92-acre Zoo, the broad expanse of the meadow area, and the tens of thousands of trees and shrubs that been planted at the Zoo over the last decade.

We invite your comments on the Long-Range Plan and EIS. If you want to stay informed about the upcoming public process, please call Jim Maxwell at (206) 684-4066 or e-mail him at jim.maxwell@zoo.org

MONOLITH TO ENJOY TEMPORARY STAY AT SAND POINT MAGNUSON PARK

The mystery of the millennium monolith that appeared January 1 at the top of Kite Hill at Sand Point Magnuson Park is solved. On January 4 it mysteriously moved to Duck Island in Green Lake. On Friday the 5th our staff worked with the artists' group to retrieve it from Duck Island (they say they had no idea who moved it to Duck Island) and put it safely in storage at Sand Point Magnuson Park. We have agreed to install and secure it atop Kite Hill so the public can enjoy it through mid-March, when kite flying season begins in earnest.

I will be in touch soon.